BEERMEN SEEK FINALS BERTH

THE Magnolia Timplados Hotshots are still alive and kicking following their 105-97 victory over TNT, denying the Tropang Giga an early entry back to the championship round.

Now the Hotshots want to equalize and push the series to a rubber match when they shoot for a win in Game 6 of their best-ofseven semifinals series.

Magnolia squares off with TNT at 6:30 p.m. right after the 4:30 p.m. match between San Miguel Beer and Meralco, which play Game 6 of their own best-of-seven semis series.

Mark Barroca stepped up when needed the most for the Hotshots as he unloaded 25 points, his most productive output this season.

For the veteran guard, his stepped-up performance in offense is just part and parcel of the Hotshots’ much-needed win.

It was defense that keyed the win.

“If we can limit at least one of their key scorers, we’ll have a good chance,” said Barroca.

The Hotshots limited Mikey Williams, the reigning scoring champion and last season’s Finals MVP, to just 13 points. The explosive Fil-Am guard was scoreless in the fourth period as Rome dela Rosa did an excellent job shackling him.

Now that they were able to develop the right formula in beating the Tropang Giga convincingly, the Hotshots will try again to keep their campaign going — and set up a no tomorrow encounter.

San Miguel endured a gritty Meralco side, 89-78, as Jericho Cruz came up with a bounceback performance.

Held to just two points in their 111-97 loss to the Bolts in Game 4, Cruz came away with 17 points.

Offensively, CJ Perez had taken over once again, but he did more than just scoring. On top of his 25 points, he also pulled down nine boards and dished out five assists.

The Beermen hope to close out the Bolts, but in any series, winning the deciding game is the most difficult thing to do.

“From the start of the conference, that has been the goal [make it to the finals]. So, it’s step by step. In the elimination round, we wanted to be in the top two. We achieved it. We didn’t waste time and took advantage of the twiceto-beat,” said San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria. “Now we’re one in a way of making the semis. Are we motivated? Do we have the momentum? It’s all up to us.”